Ok so here's the story. I'll try being as detailed as possible. The other day I found that my car wouldn't start so I checked a few things. First I checked the plunger on the clutch switch and it checked out ok. Then I tried crossing the starter solenoid and the car still wouldn't start. I was able to push start the car though. Therefore I went out and bought a new starter. It was one from a 1993 mustang so it was the hi torque mini one and not the huge one I had before. I did the rewiring as follows. I ran the red wire from the little tab on the starter to the terminal on the relay where the coil wire originally was. I put the coil wire on the post of the starter without anything on it and ran the other end to the opposite side of the relay that it was originally on. Again I try starting the car and nothing happens. I checked the clutch plunger again and swapped out relays and still no luck. This time though when I crossed the relay the car started. I don't think it's the ignition switch because when I turn the key my accesories come on as well as my fuel pump. I'm at a loss right now and have no idea what it can be. I'd really appreciate any help.
Car Won't start! HELP!
- Thread starter 89five.o
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mantix33
New Member
well with what you said, it could be a couple of things. but i would take a closer look at your ignition switch, just because it turns on the accessories doesnt mean that its making contact with the pole for starting, you could use a simple test light at the relay on the control side to see if it is getting power from the ignition switch, and double check those relay connections to make sure its hooked up right and check to see if the relay is in working order (you will need a multimeter and a battery to properly check the relay)
If you are still using the stock solenoid, you should have the S-terminal wire (the little one that slides onto the OEM solenoid at 12 o'clock) connected where it originally was. You can move the starter cable from where it was to the battery side of the solenoid. Now the starter cable lug is vacant, and you run a new wire from there to the trigger (coil) terminal on the new solenoid.
I might have misread what you posted, but I had the impression that you dont have the cranking signal making it to the coil terminal on the relay. Ergo, the starter has no idea you are trying to start.
It's late and I might have missed something.
Good luck.
I might have misread what you posted, but I had the impression that you dont have the cranking signal making it to the coil terminal on the relay. Ergo, the starter has no idea you are trying to start.
It's late and I might have missed something.
Good luck.
What I did with the wiring on the solenoid is move the coil wire (thick black one right?) from the terminal it was originally on to the opposite post. Then There was a little red 12#Ga wire that I ran from the little stub on the starter to the post where the coil wire originally was. The 12 o'clock wire is also on. Does this sound about right?HISSIN50 said:
Ok, I dont know if you have this figured out yet, but im going to try and help. from what I read, you are refering to a relay that you crossed. I am assuming you mean the starter solenoid on the inner fender, drivers side. there are two large posts, and one screw post, which you refer to at 12 oclock. I believe you said when you crossed the relay(solenoid) that it started. First thing is to test the solenoid.
1) Make sure the car is out of gear, as this will bypass any safety switches. first, take a large screwdriver, and briefly cross is between the two large posts of the solenoid. It will spark and arc, but if the starter is hooked up correctly, it will turn over. if not, then you dont have the starter itself wired correctly.
2) If it does turn over, next you want to check that the solenoid is working properly. remove the push on wire from the post which you refer to as 12 oclock, the one the starter signal from the key goes to. Again using a screw driver, cross the large post that the positive battery wire goes to, to the little post at 12. when these two connect, the solenoid should make a clicking, like a relay closing, and the starter should turn over. If you make this connection, and the starter doesnt turn over, but it did in step one, then the solenoid is shot. From the sound of your description, the solenoid is going to be the problem, since all the accesories are coming on when you turn the key.
3. If step two also turns the starter over, then take a test light, one end on the negative battery, and one end touching the terminal of the press on wire, and turn the key on. if the light lights when you turn the key, then you have signal from the switch, if it doesnt, then you have to start tracing the problem back to the starter switch.
I hope this helps, let us know what you find out.
1) Make sure the car is out of gear, as this will bypass any safety switches. first, take a large screwdriver, and briefly cross is between the two large posts of the solenoid. It will spark and arc, but if the starter is hooked up correctly, it will turn over. if not, then you dont have the starter itself wired correctly.
2) If it does turn over, next you want to check that the solenoid is working properly. remove the push on wire from the post which you refer to as 12 oclock, the one the starter signal from the key goes to. Again using a screw driver, cross the large post that the positive battery wire goes to, to the little post at 12. when these two connect, the solenoid should make a clicking, like a relay closing, and the starter should turn over. If you make this connection, and the starter doesnt turn over, but it did in step one, then the solenoid is shot. From the sound of your description, the solenoid is going to be the problem, since all the accesories are coming on when you turn the key.
3. If step two also turns the starter over, then take a test light, one end on the negative battery, and one end touching the terminal of the press on wire, and turn the key on. if the light lights when you turn the key, then you have signal from the switch, if it doesnt, then you have to start tracing the problem back to the starter switch.
I hope this helps, let us know what you find out.
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